[ILoveJava]

Hey guys, I recently bought a Bushido Full Tang Katana online, and just noticed it has a false blade. The sword is 39.5" long, and the blade is 4mm thick 440 stainless steel.

Is there a possibility this could be sharpened? Or will it just break?

Would it be possible to use a home Scanpan knife sharpener? Haha.

[Slice]

Why would you want to sharpen it?

[modi123_1]

What do you mean by 'false blade'? As in a non sharpened edge?

Oh and I demand pictures.

[ILoveJava]

The only pictures they have on the website are of the handle, but you can see it here

And yes, i mean that by a "blunt" blade. I'm not looking to actually get it sharpened, I'm just asking if it would be possible to do it.

[modi123_1]

Sure.. sharpen away. I can't guarantee you'll do it right, but in theory it's metal and it can be sharpened. A metal file and some sandpaper, diamond sharpening rods, a belt sander, or what have you should work.

[ILoveJava]

What about a Scanpan knife sharpener? It's pretty good, can sharpen my knives to cut through chicken breast pretty easy. lol.

[modi123_1]

I don't know what a "Scanpan knife sharpener" is.. but if you want to sharpen a length of stainless steel uniformly get a metal file and throw it at a 30 degree angle.

[ILoveJava]

Will do next time I'm at a hardware store (The closest one is like a 40 minute drive away ><).

[Kilorn]

Don't be surprised if you end up destroying the blade. When it comes to katanas, and most other swords nowadays, they're made with inferior materials and inferior swordmaking practices because they're just show pieces now and don't have a functional purpose. If you're going to buy a katana anywhere and want one that is sharp and functional, you need to get one that is made of a high carbon steel, such as damascus steel, and not stainless steel. Unfortunately the true methods of creating damascus steel were lost long ago and all recent attempts to recreate the process haven't been completely successful. The more folds in the blade, the stronger it is going to be as well because during the folding process the sword is heated to allow it to fold, banged into place, and then cooled down. This constant heating and cooling causes steel harden and the more times this is done to a blade, the stronger it will be.

Unfortunately any sword that will be a truly functional blade is going to cost you a lot more than what you paid for that one. Don't expect to get a good katana for less than $500, I'd say.

[ishkabible]

you should probably not use any old metal file; certainly the correct file would work(ever see those round rods chefs rub their knifes against) but not just any old file.

I have a sharpener with 2 slots for whetstones(you change them out from rougher to finer) lubricated with mineral oil positioned at an ideal angle(like 20-30 degrees I think) and held up by springs so the pressure is almost always the same if you don't compress it all the way down.

there are many other kits as well. many have several stages to sharpen the knife with; each taking off less and less to hone the blade to a finer edge.

[GunnerInc]

On a plus side for stainless, it is much easier to sharpen than carbide steel.

The first time you try to "hand" sharpen the edge on anything, you will most likely do more damage than good. Knife sharpening is an art really.

The basics of sharpening is that you start with the most course abrasive (only if the edge is in really bad shape) and you work your way down through different grits.

When I was in the Military, I had a few Gil Hibben knives that I would sharpen and shave with.

Any knives or chisels I own, I sharpen myself, it is rewarding because everyone else will say, WOW!! because they can't :-)

I usually finish off edges with special sandpaper that feels like glass. For the edge to come out really nice, make sure your abrasive is lubricated which will keep the metal dust from clogging it up.

[NeoTifa]

The best kind of blade for your katana is good old-fashioned Valyrian steel.

[ishkabible]

no, skyforge steel is what it needs to be made of; it's the best in all of skyrim.

This post has been edited by ishkabible: 21 March 2012 - 08:24 PM

[modi123_1]

Ha.. yeah.. well vorpal pretty much trumps all of your swords.

[supersloth]

Slice, on 21 March 2012 - 07:06 PM, said:

Why would you want to sharpen it?

TO CUT THINGS